DICKENS trial

You are invited to participate in a research study investigating the effect of a drug called diacerein for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. The study is being conducted by Associate Professor Dawn Aitken at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research (Hobart). It is also being conducted at the Alfred Hospital (Melbourne), the Queen Elizabeth hospital (Adelaide) and the Fiona Stanley Hospital (Perth).

Before you decide if you wish to participate in this study, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take the time to read the information sheet and consent form in the links below.

What is the purpose of this study?

This study is examining whether a drug called diacerein can improve knee pain and decrease knee swelling in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Diacerein is an anti-inflammatory medication which is currently used to treat osteoarthritis. Almost 60% of people with knee osteoarthritis have local joint swelling. In this research study we will test whether diacerein is more effective in knee osteoarthritis patients with local knee joint inflammation.

Who is being asked to participate in this study?

We will be studying up to 260 knee osteoarthritis patients nationally. Patients can be included in the study if they:

  • Are aged 40 to 64 years old;
  • Have knee pain on most days;
  • Have knee osteoarthritis (confirmed by one of our study doctors);
  • Have local swelling in their knee joint (termed effusion-synovitis) present on an MRI scan;
  • Have an email address and access to the internet;
  • Are willing to participate in the study for 24 weeks.

If this sounds like you, please read the information sheet and consent form in the links below:

DICKENS Participant Information

DICKENS Consent Form

For further information regarding the DICKENS trial please contact:

Kathy Buttigieg
Clinical Trial Coordinator
Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Ph: 03 6226 6909 or email Kathy.Buttigieg@utas.edu.au

This study is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council and has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (Tasmania) Network (Ethics #H0017151).